Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Private Decisions... Decisions...


Lilianna L'lerim Lilianna L'lerim

divider-megint-ge-1.png


The ship whirred through hyperspace, its trajectory set in stone. Destination... Aaven. Objective... well, that was yet to be seen. Cesare's previous encounter with the heir to the L'lerim name had been... unfruitful, at least as much as one might think. He hadn't eliminated his initial target, but at least, as a silver lining...

He had managed to take Lilianna prisoner.

One that didn't understand the finer points of his father's now defunct crusade might not understand the importance of this abduction, but to Cesare, he held in his hands a potentially great treasure. As such, he handled his "guest" with care, ensuring her comfort, at least as much as a captive could have. The small shuttle was lifted from an old contact of his, off the books, and more importantly, off the radar of the Empire. He'd probably be executed for this... going rogue in the middle of the Empire's conflict. But deep down, he did not care. His goals were his own, and procedure be damned.

He approached his captive, offering her a bit of food.

"Here..."

She would hesitate, likely, and he couldn't blame her. He knew all too well the machinations of a jailer. His mind couldn't help but to call back to his time in chains before his father's death. Nothing felt right. Nothing felt sacred. That pain... that... tribulation... it gave him some small amount of sympathy for his captive's position.

"I promise it isn't poisoned..."

He took a bit himself, just to prove his point. In truth, Cesare wasn't even sure of his plan anymore. It had all gone out the window some time ago. All that was left was his hope that he was making something resembling a smart move.

Would it be? Well, that would take time to find out...

divider-megint-ge-1.png
 
transparent.png
Information
Crown Princess of Aaven, Priestess of Ashla
"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ["Essonian"] | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >>

Objective: Survive
Location: En route Aaven
Equipment: Noble Attire | Ashlan Rosary || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tags: Cesare Demici Cesare Demici

divider-megint-AC.png

Most of my days were spent in quiet prayer; I still struggled to believe what had happened. Ashla; how could She allow all this? Or rather, what purpose could it serve? I had no answer, nor was one given to me. When I first saw Cesare on Serenno, I thought he had come to help me. But I soon discovered he was there for entirely different reasons on the planet and or on the university. I believed he was my saviour; instead, I became his hostage.

Why? I’d asked myself that so many times.

I sat alone in my "prison"; currently a rather uncomfortable room aboard the shuttle. The communications were blocked; I couldn’t use my biochip to call for help or reach anyone. My telepathic abilities through the Force were nowhere near strong enough to connect with another mind. Though I hadn’t seen my brother, Tancred ( Michael Barran Michael Barran ), in years, he was still the one I felt closest to. I tried reaching out to him in the Force, just like I had so many times before, but, just like then, I failed once more.

When I wasn’t praying, I tried to sleep, but there were too many thoughts swirling in my mind. I simply lay on the bed in silence. Our family had long shared strong ties with House Demici, especially with the old cardinal, Pietro. That’s why I truly believed his son had come to help. But all I felt from Cesare was darkness; even though the Demici family, like us, were Ashlan believers.

Who had turned Cesare away from the righteous path? When had he fallen? No matter how much I searched, I could not find the answer. Would he even tell me if I asked?

Lost in thought, I didn't realise for a moment that the door to my room had opened. I sat up slowly and turned to face him. When I saw the food in his hands, nausea welled up in me. When he offered it, I simply shook my head. I blinked in faint surprise when he added that it wasn’t poisoned. I know it can be oddly enough to others, the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. I suppose, as always, I still expected the best of him.

"Thank you, but I’m not hungry." I was far too anxious and afraid to eat. "Why are you doing this, Cesare? Who did this to you? When did Bogan take hold of your heart and soul?"

The questions spilled out at once, in a voice full of innocence, sadness, and quiet heartbreak. And as I looked up at him, my blue eyes shimmered with sorrow; sorrow at seeing him like this. Yes, I know I was naïve. But not so naïve as to miss the fact that there was a reason he hadn't let me go…

"What do you intend to do with me? Where are you taking me?" I asked softly, for I knew none of the answers.

ac-diviider-original.png
 

Lilianna L'lerim Lilianna L'lerim

divider-megint-ge-1.png


He was almost offended that she did not accept the food... almost...

Yet, he did understand her position. It wasn't so long ago that he had been captive to the wills of Solipsis and his ilk. So perhaps, maybe, somewhere in there... there was a common thread.

He could only hope so...

He looked her deep into the eyes, as deep as anyone could perceive someone through the very weave of the Force itself. It pained him, in truth, to do this, but his goal to murder the Sith'ari was all that mattered. Any pain... any struggle... any sacrifice was worth his pound of flesh in the name of vengeance.

"The Bogan has done nothing, but feed me the power to do what is necessary."

He offered a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Perhaps a moment of weakness, or perhaps familiarity through their mutual heritage, but reassuring nonetheless.

"I don't wish to be your enemy, Lili..."

He wasn't sure if he believed his own words, but he said them nonetheless.

divider-megint-ge-1.png
 
transparent.png
Information
Crown Princess of Aaven, Priestess of Ashla
"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ["Essonian"] | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >>

Objective: Survive
Location: En route Aaven
Equipment: Noble Attire | Ashlan Rosary || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tags: Cesare Demici Cesare Demici

divider-megint-AC.png

I merely watched him. I couldn’t tell what might have been going through his mind, what he could have been thinking. I was a healer, even my Force abilities were strongest in that regard, especially since the gene therapy they subjected me to, so I might recover.

But I had never spent much time among people. Nearly my entire life had been confined to an isolated chamber, thanks to the Sith poison that had killed our mother when Tancred and I were born. My brother had been the luckier of the two of us... he only suffered physical symptoms. I, on the other hand, had lived nearly all my life in a sterile room.

I’d had very little interaction with others, and I would have been so happy if I had. Or if I’d had abilities like my sister, Ellayina. Then perhaps I might have been able to read something from Cesare’s expression. I don’t know... I wasn’t sure what I saw in his eyes. Perhaps pain, or sorrow? Was someone even capable of feeling that on the Dark Side?

Yet in my own eyes, there was even greater pain as he began to speak.

My heart clenched, and I think tears began to sting my eyes. It was awful to see Cesare like that, or anyone, truly. But especially him. Especially knowing that he, too, had once been one of Ashla’s crusaders. And then, when he finally said the Bogan did nothing to him except grant him strength, the tears spilled freely down my cheeks and I shook my head sadly.

"You know that’s not true... you were taught the same as I was... and you must know that the Bogan gives nothing freely. You’ll lose yourself, be consumed. Only Ashla can give us the strength we need, and our faith in Her, not the Bogan." My voice was soft, though by the end it had turned hoarse, fading away as the tears stole the last of my breath.

I wasn’t used to being touched, so I flinched at his touch. I looked up at him with a hint of fear; and even blushed. My hand reached up to wipe away the tears from my cheeks, but I couldn’t stop the trembling. I couldn’t control it. Even though I was inexperienced and naïve, I still noticed that he hadn’t answered my questions, and that silence brought worry - and perhaps a bit of fear - into my heart. That was what made me tremble.

I inched back on the bed until I reached the wall. There was nowhere left to run. He said he didn’t want to be my enemy... and I wanted to believe that. I looked up at him again, my blue eyes showing sorrow, yes, but now some concern as well. I think it was written all over my face.

"If that were true... I wouldn’t be your prisoner. And you would’ve answered my questions. What do you want to do with me?" I asked him again, but this time my voice trembled with fear. No matter how much I tried to hide it, my voice, my eyes and my body language betrayed me.

ac-diviider-original.png
 

Lilianna L'lerim Lilianna L'lerim

divider-megint-ge-1.png


Cesare could sense her fear... her doubt... her concern. It washed over him as if he had sought to drown himself in a great, vast ocean of sadness. He felt no such sorrow in his own heart, however. All that was left was the cold, looming sense of revenge he sought to bring to bear against the Emperor. Yet, Cesare felt some level of sympathy for her, a sensation that caused him to remove his hand from her shoulder.

He slumped back, leaning against the durasteel wall of the ship as he sat across from her. He let out a long sigh, shaking his head as he managed a chuckle.

"You sound so much like my father, you know..."

His gaze drifted for a moment, as if he could see through the very walls of the vessel and into the stars themselves.

"Yes, I was taught the same scriptures. That is, until I left my father to join the Imperial Knights."

He was so young... so optimistic... ready to take on the entirety of the Sith in the name of the Imperator...

But it all fell apart, the banners he once looked to in awe and reverence left to rot in the dust. The Empire he knew was long gone, as was the crusade his father had once helped to champion. All that was left on the horizon was a shadow... a shadow that would persist unless he rooted it out at its core. But that would take time and effort. His only hope was to get in the same room as the Emperor, so that he may end his life once and for all.

"My father was a fool. Cedric was a fool. They were all blinded by their misguided theocracy."

He had met Cedric, once. He was only a child, but he never forgot the moment his father had taken him to meet the future leader of the Ashlan Crusade. He seemed so regal, so transcendent. Yet... the thought of the man throwing his lot in with Pietro was enough to give Cesare pause. One could not truly be such a monumental leader and fall prey to the words of one such as his father.

He threw his hand up, unsure of what to say next. Shaking his head, Cesare's eyes finally met with Lilliana's once again.

"The galaxy doesn't comply with such rigid beliefs. It operates with much greater complexity."

An incredibly audible sigh produced itself as he sought to calm his frustrations.

"Forgive me for answering your question with a question, but what future do you see for your homeworld?"

divider-megint-ge-1.png
 
Last edited:
transparent.png
Information
Crown Princess of Aaven, Priestess of Ashla
"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ["Essonian"] | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >>

Objective: Survive
Location: En route Aaven
Equipment: Noble Attire | Ashlan Rosary || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tags: Cesare Demici Cesare Demici

divider-megint-AC.png

I felt a deep sense of relief when Cesare finally let go of my shoulder and didn’t try to stop me from getting as far away from him as possible. Although unfortunately, it wasn’t as far as I would have liked. He didn’t answer my questions, and that filled me with concern — great concern. During my medical studies, I had also learned psychology, so I knew this wasn’t good, not good at all. The chuckle that followed my words embarrassed me a little, and I blushed slightly. I didn’t know what I could have said that was so funny. Oh! Now I understood.

"After all, he was Ashla’s priest, and I am her priestess…" I said quietly, as I couldn’t imagine any other reason why he would think that way.

I looked at him in surprise, as this sounded as though he had abandoned our faith when he left the cardinal’s side. I could never give up my faith, not even if I were far from home. On the contrary… it would strengthen me even more in my belief, knowing that only my trust in my faith could help me stay strong and accomplish what was necessary. For Ashla is always, everywhere with me.

"Why did you turn away from Ashla there?" I asked him.

I listened sadly to his next words. The Ashlan Emperor had already been dead when I was born. That was when I realized just how much older Cesare was than me; at least fifteen years. I had only ever known Pietro, but not even personally, only through communication channels. I had been forced to spend far too much time alone in my sterile suite, isolated because of the Sith poison. Even with my own brother, I could only speak through the energy barrier, via the biochip, or through telepathic means.

"They were not fools; they believed in something that could make the Galaxy better. They believed in Ashla, believing that their faith could make the Galaxy better. You despise them, yet by your own words, you are currently expecting the same from Bogan. You are exactly the same as they were, even if you don’t treat Bogan as a religion." I told him in a bitter, sorrowful tone.

There was no accusation in my words; I didn’t mean to judge him; only to point out what I saw as reality. Everyone believes in something, even if not in a religious way. They have to, because without hope, everything would be lost. Everyone needs to lean on someone or something to be strong. I looked at him in slight surprise after his next words.

"Or maybe you just don’t want to see it, and you turn your head away because you’ve been met with disappointment and pain. Great pain that you still suffer from. What is it that causes you so much suffering?" I asked him again.

There were countless religions out there; we had discussed them in theology classes, mostly because one has to know the enemy. Yet my questions still went unanswered. His next question, however, sent an icy fear through my heart and soul. Did he want to kill me, and was that why he was asking? Fear made my heart beat faster, my pupils dilated, and I tried to control my breathing so at least that wouldn’t betray me.

"The Planeshift affected us deeply as well… the planet shifted from near Ession into the Unknown Regions. But I believe my people will overcome this soon, and afterwards we can live in peace again and continue our development and prosperity. Why do you want to know this?" I asked him again, even though so far, I hadn’t received any real answer from him, no matter how much I asked.

ac-diviider-original.png
 

Lilianna L'lerim Lilianna L'lerim

divider-megint-ge-1.png


All he could do was chuckle at her question. Of course she didn't understand... how could she? She had known little else other than her misguided beliefs. Cesare could only take pity on her naive outlook on the galaxy, for he too had once been indoctrinated into those same foolish beliefs. His yellow eyes seemed to venture off again as he thought about the strange turns his life had taken. So many shifts in so, so little time...

"It was my father that drove me away from the faith. He knew nothing else, and in the end, it was that same blindness that led to his death."

Her next words of condemnation caused him to snap back to the present, his words oozing with stronger vitriol and frustration.

"Ashla couldn't even save her most devout priest! And you think that same entity can make the galaxy a better place?"

He calmed himself, his body slumping further against the wall as he placed his head in his hand. This feeling... it wasn't rage. Everything felt like rage, these days. It had seemed to be all he had grown to know. No... this was something just as potent...

It was sorrow.

Wiping a single tear from his cheek, Cesare composed himself once again.

"I was there when they killed him. I may have not been in the room, but I could feel his pain... his fear... his torment as the lightsaber pierced his broken body. I could sense the sorrow in his heart, knowing that his beloved goddess had left him to die."

In truth, he still dreamt of that fateful day almost every time he closed his eyes. The fever dream he witnessed at the moment of his father's death would likely haunt him until his dying breath...

Or till he could kill the one responsible.

"I will take the Emperor's life for what he did. It is all I have left, now... and one way or another, I will see my father avenged."

Having finally regained his composure in full, his gaze drifted back to Lilliana.

"Peace is a lie... though not as the Sith believe it to be. It is merely a ticking clock, and eventually that clock resets in the fires of conflict."

A brief pause followed as Cesare attempted to choose his next words carefully.

"The Emperor has designs on the Unknown Regions. There are still old assets there he wishes to recover, and footholds he wishes to maintain."

He leaned forward.

"He has set his sights on your world, as well..."

divider-megint-ge-1.png
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom